Scarleteen

Text: "How to play with toys! Butt plugs & strokers edition. Read now at Scarleteen," alongside a pink heart and images of strokers and butt plugs. Below, the Scarleteen logo and "queer sex ed for all since 1998" tagline.

Strokers and butt plugs have officially joined the roster in our How to Play with Toys series! 💖 Curious about these two new additions? Want to learn more about sex toys? Queer sex educator and sex journalist Gabrielle Kassel has got the low-down just for you! www.scarleteen.com/read/cultu...

It's Quickies! Our new series of short, fast, sex ed summaries! Quickies are condensed, simplified versions of some of our most-read, best-loved content that also will often be a good fit for many somewhat younger users, or those new to sex education. They’re those core pieces of sex education that we think should be available to everybody, if possible. We’ve carefully created and edited them for lower literacy and to work better for those with intellectual disabilities, too.

Quickies covers those core pieces of sex education that we think should be available to everybody and, like everything else we provide, are highly inclusive, meaning we don’t unnecessarily or arbitrarily assign gender⁠ or orientation to anything. www.scarleteen.com/about/anno...

Articles with "Quickies" in the title are simplified versions of some of our most-read, best-loved content made for those with learning disabilities, young users, those new to sex ed, or those who prefer super-quick rundowns on certain topics.

Text: "Have you ever wanted to learn about consent, masturbation, sexual anatomy, periods, healthy relationships, crushes, intimacy, and more? Check out Quickies! Our new series of short, fast, sex ed summaries. Read now on Scarleteen," beside two people looking up pensively.

The Quickies Series was born of our commitment to our tagline "Queer Sex Ed for All" and because we understand that in-depth and lengthy explanations may not be accessible or even preferred for all our users.🧵

The following words appear on a colorful Afro-futurist background with a picture of CeCe McDonald: “CeCe McDonald. CeCe McDonald uses her experience with incarceration to bring attention to the prison industrial complex, abolition, and the acute challenges trans women of color face both inside and outside of prison. She has spoken at colleges and universities and has given interviews with major news outlets. McDonald’s work sets the stage for a future free from carceral responses to violence that benefit trans and cis people alike. Photo credit: Chartwell Speakers”

The following words appear on a colorful Afro-futurist background with a picture of Patricio Manuel: “Patricio “Pat” Manuel (also known as “Cacahuate”). Patricio Manuel is a professional boxer whose career includes several barrier-breaking achievements, including being the first out transgender boxer, the most decorated amateur boxer to change gender divisions within USA Boxing, and being the first transgender man to beat a cisgender man in the amateur male division. In September 2018, he made history again when he became the first transgender boxer to compete in a professional boxing match in the U.S. and win. During a time when sports are a battleground for trans rights and dignity, Manuel is breaking barriers and paving the way for future Black trans athletes to be recognized, to be respected, and to win.”

The following words appear on a colorful Afro-futurist background with a picture of La Saia Wade: “LaSaia Wade. Wade has founded several organizations that have distributed funds to trans people, organized culturally competent social services for trans people, and led direct actions that have called attention to the violence experienced by trans women in Chicago. Wade’s work is a guide to reaching the future we all desire. It has always been us and will be us who care for, lift up, and support each other.”

The following words appear on a colorful Afro-futurist background with a picture of Kylar Broadus: “Kylar Broadus. Broadus is an attorney who focuses on LGBTQ+ law and transgender rights and is the founder of two organizations that support trans people of color through legal action. Broadus’ legal work does more than change policy; it affirms the rights and dignity of trans people, challenging discrimination and helping shift perceptions of trans people.”

Black trans futures are already here. Right now, Black trans leaders are building the foundation for a more liberated future by challenging transphobia and anti-Blackness through legislation, organizing, art, technology, and community.

#BlackTransFuturesMonth #BlackHistoryMonth #trans

Your ability to eat should not depend on your productivity

Your ability to get healthcare should not depend on your productivity

Your ability to get housing should not depend on your productivity

Saying “be more productive!” To those who are struggling devalues human life.

It aids fascism.

If you haven't read this piece yet, please do. "I am disgusted to know that my tax dollars are being spent to bomb my ancestral homeland. I was sickened to wake up to messages from family members telling me that the city where they live was under attack from the country where I live."

Sending love to my Iranian and Persian friends today.

May we live to see the end of US imperialism.

the war is not "aimless." It is corrupt, unjust and immoral.

The only thing it feels worthwhile for me to say right now is pay attention to whether your feelings & the information you’re absorbing are paralyzing you or prompting you to meaningful action, whatever that is. Paralysis helps no one but the enemy.

Reminder that we're not doing this because Israel is making us.

We're doing this because Israel IS us, and who we are is imperialists with an economy based on death for profit.

Text: "I don't wish I was a boy, but I really wish I had a penis. Is something wrong with me? Swipe to get a sneak peek at s.e.'s answer," alongside a person looking up pensively at thought bubbles with the question from the user and an eggplant emoji.

Text: "s.e. writes... You’re not the first, only, or last cis woman to think about what life might be like with a penis⁠, and to integrate it into your fantasies or wishes. Your brain and anatomy⁠ are doing just fine. While we live in a culture that associates penises with men, lots of people who aren’t men have penises, including some women, and some people have both penises and vaginas. Penises can be pretty fun! Read their full answer at Scarleteen. Have your own question? Need some advice? You can write to us in the "ask for help" section of our website," written on an illustrated sticky note on a teal background.

@sesmith.lol deconstructs what it means to be a woman and what affirming sexual exploration and a relationship with the body can look like for a user who says she's cis...but really wishes she had a penis.
www.scarleteen.com/read/ident...

Thank you both for your feedback and for bringing this up to us. I will make sure that this concern is brought up to the rest of our team. We will consider your valuable feedback in future social media promotions of this article. -Ro

We're so stoked to publish this incredible piece and work with you, Liz. 💕 Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us and our users!

New from me. I’m really proud of this piece, and thrilled to be working with the team at Scarleteen to be publishing the kinds of health promotion work I haven’t seen anywhere else.

Bad Counsel: AI Assistants and Chatbots Give Bad Advice, By Design Bots designed to say yes to everything can’t give you the support you need.

Are you getting your sex advice from a chatbot? @scarleteen.com  and @sesmith.lol  tell you why that's a bad idea, and what the limitiations of AI are.

Text: "What do COVID and STIs have in common?" alongside a gloved hand holding a SARS-CoV-2 Antigen test.

Text: "With preventative practices, the spread of both can be reduced! Liz Duck-Chong demonstrates how we can apply STI prevention practices to reduce the spread of COVID. Read now at Scarleteen," alongside a person wearing a mask.

We know it's important to take serious precautions when it comes to STI prevention. What if we did the same for COVID? @lizduckchong.bsky.social explores what that might look like: www.scarleteen.com/read/what-...

“We Belong to Each Other Now”: Lessons from Minneapolis “This extreme closeness, togetherness and intimacy — you cannot infiltrate your way into a space where you'll understand that," says May, a rapid responder in Minneapolis.

After months of relentless rapid response in Minneapolis, members of Defend the 612 had a moment to breathe and reflect on the lessons they’ve learned, the grief they carry, and the citywide fellowship they hope will endure. The crisis is not over, and I’m grateful they made time to speak with me.

In light of the Epstein news and the resurfacing of many headlines that want to blur the lines that are so clear to us, we think sharing this piece by Heather on sexual assault and abuse is apt for our current times. www.scarleteen.com/read/abuse/i...

Text: "No matter what anyone tells you - including your own mind - it is never your fault if you have been or are sexually assaulted or abused. Read Heather's message at Scarleteen," alongside an image of a person with their gaze low.

This guide by Heather Corinna has existed in a few iterations since the late 1990s and is an incredible resource that clarifies what rape is and isn't, and provides in-depth information about what to do if you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted. www.scarleteen.com/read/abuse...

Text: “We’re sorry! You may have found or may find a lot of 404s or weird bits missing from Scarleteen's site pages over the next few days. We're having some technical issues with the site, but we're on the case! We really appreciate your patience as we sort out these issues,” alongside illustrations of a hand, a toolbox, Scarleteen’s logo and tagline.

We’re so sorry for any inconvenience caused by the technical issues we’re experiencing on the site. We’re on the case! We really appreciate your patience.

"Instead, it [The idea that an orgasm⁠ does or should mean that sex is or must be finished] comes from places like pop culture depictions or cultural beliefs or ideals that only present sex about what’s needed for reproduction, or the lowest common denominator of deeply average sexual⁠ experiences."

Text: "Always wanting more? Heather Corinna breaks down some orgasm myths in their new article. Read now at Scarleteen," alongside a dog gazing up from an empty food bowl.

Heather Corinna digs into what sexual satisfaction looks like, and why it's often about way more than orgasms. Here, Heather breaks it down with research-backed insights plus advice on exploration and giving yourself permission to want the yummy stuff in life:
www.scarleteen.com/read/sex-s...

If you want to fight fascism, you must practice disability justice.

If you’re claiming to be on the left but believe disabled people are “expendable”, you’re aligning with fascists.

If you are against tyranny but refer to people like me as “a drain”, you’re carrying water for the Nazis.

Text: "Asking AI companions or bots for advice or information about sexual health, abuse, relationships, gender, or pretty much anything is never a good idea. Chatbots give bad advice in large part because they are designed to give bad advice. Find out more in s.e.smith's Bad Counsel: AI Assistants and Chatbots Give Bad Advice, by Design at Scarleteen," alongside a smiling poop emoji with a text bubble that says "well, that's crappy!"

Turning to AI for support and advice, especially in times of distress, is never a good idea. @sesmith.lol provides the facts on bots, the effects of prolonged use of AI, and offers alternatives to these crappy "companions."
www.scarleteen.com/read/bad-c...

yep, they're still at it in LA and Portland too

the media is gonna be like "time for a new narrative" and it's so important to keep talking about how none of the cities they invaded have become more safe since the spotlight shifted away from them

Thank you for sharing your experiences and i’m so glad to hear that this piece resonates with you 💓 -ro

Text: "Does sex sometimes feel like a sensory nightmare? You might need some accommodations! Learn more from writer Summer Tao. Read now at Scarleteen," above a person plugging their ears with their hands.

Does sex sometimes feel like a sensory nightmare? There can be a lot of sensations: sounds, smells, and tastes. Summer Tao writes how to create accommodations for when sex is overwhelming in her latest at Scarleteen. www.scarleteen.com/read/sex-s...

Chest binding is a gender-affirming practice done by all kinds of people. It can improve one’s mental health and decrease gender dysphoria. Given some of the current policies in place, we think these videos are worth resurfacing. Video 1: Safer Ways to Bind Your Chest <3